Bill Nye: Homosexuality is everywhere in nature and is part of the evolutionary process

In video recorded for Big Think, popular science explainer Bill Nye has a few thoughts on homosexuality as it relates to evolution, stating that is seems to be part of the natural order of life and is not “genetically lethal.”

Asked how homosexuality fits into the grand scheme of evolution — based upon a belief that the “purpose of a species is to reproduce to survive” — Nye notes that same sex attraction exists throughout nature and life continues to move forward.

Citing the popular 1967 book “The Naked Ape” by Desmond Morris, Nye reminded viewers that Morris had documented homosexual behavior in primates that set the stage for what is now known as the “sexual spectrum.”

“I don’t know about you, but I know a great many gay men who are married, who have babies, who have kids” Nye explained. “Apparently — I’m not an authority on this, I’m an observer of the human condition — apparently, there’s a spectrum. Some people are more inclined to have sex with people of their same sex than others.”

“Being on the spectrum with heterosexual and homosexual… being on that is not genetically lethal. You still have kids anyway,” he said before adding, “Apparently this is something that happens in nature and we’re all here.”

About the Author

Tom Boggioni is based in the quaint seaside community of Pacific Beach in less quaint San Diego. He writes about politics, media, culture, and other annoyances. Mostly he spends his days at the beach gazing at the horizon waiting for the end of the world, or the sun to go down. Whichever comes first.